Clarence Gagnon was a Quebec painter who was interested in the revival of Canadian handicrafts. He spent time in Baie-Saint-Paul when he discovered women there who were making elaborate hooked rugs with an artistic flair. He arranged for strong woollen materials to be sent to these women to produce rugs of his design. This rug illustrates a grouse among foliage; it was hooked using hand-spun and hand-dyed wool containing goat or horse hair for strength.

The wife of a close friend of Gagnon, Florence Hutchison, wrote a note (undated) that reads:

This rug was designed by Clarence Gagnon. He selected a woman in Baie St. Paul whom he considered an expert in needlepoint to make it and was well pleased with her execution and skill. Fred Hutchison thought it a fine example of Canadian handicraft and paid $50.00 for the rug to the woman who did the needlepoint. She was delighted and Clarence Gagnon was well pleased with the transaction.

Photo: Textile Museum of Canada T03.14.1Rear view.Photo: Textile Museum of Canada T03.14.1Photo of the entries into the Prize Competition of Canadian-Made Handicrafts at the Annual Exhibition of the Canadian Handicrafts Guild; Gagnon’s hooked rug is on the right wall in the foreground.Photo: Canadian Guild of Crafts/Guilde canadienne des métiers d’artDetail of entries into the Canadian Handicrafts Guild’s Prize Competition.Photo: Canadian Guild of Crafts/Guilde canadienne des métiers d’artNote written by Florence Hutchinson, describing the origin of this rug.Photo: Courtesy of the Textile Museum of CanadaNote written by Florence Hutchinson, describing the origin of this rug.Photo: Courtesy of the Textile Museum of Canada